Judge explains his decision not to leave the show with Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins

Paul Hollywood has confirmed that he is following Great British Bake Off to Channel 4 next year.

Shortly after fellow judge Mary Berry announced earlier this morning (September 22) that she is stepping down “out of loyalty” to the BBC, echoing the decision of presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, Channel 4 issued a press release about Hollywood’s future on the show.

Hollywood said in the release: “Since I was a kid, baking has been part of my life. The seven series inside the tent have created some great memories. Best of all, I have felt so pleased to experience other people getting the baking bug, just as I did when my dad helped me make my first loaf.”

He continued: “The Great British Bake Off has brought baking to the nation and we’ve seen people from all walks of life and backgrounds, experience the highs and lows of competition, and more importantly helping each other. It’s been a huge part of my life in the past few years and I just couldn’t turn my back on all that – the bakers themselves, the bakes, the team that makes it, and of course the tent, the bunting, and who could forget… the squirrels.”

“So I am delighted that I will be continuing as a judge when Bake Off moves to Channel 4,” he concluded. “I want to thank the BBC and Mel and Sue for making my time in the tent great fun and really rewarding.”

Hollywood has also taken to Twitter to thank Mary Berry for her contribution to the show, saying: “I’ll miss her but she has made the right decision for her.”

I'm staying in the tent with the bakers where I belong. I want to thank Mary. I'll miss her but she has made the right decision for her.

Richard McKerrow of Love Productions, the company that makes Bake Off, said in a statement: “We want to reiterate to Bake Off fans, that the show they love will remain wholly familiar, and that Channel 4 is a great place to make our show. Bake Off will be produced by the same team, in the same tent, with the same recipe.”

It was announced earlier this month (September) that the current series of The Great British Bake Off will be the last to air on the BBC, with Channel 4 securing rights to the show from 2017.